Cheryl Ann Kary (Hunkuotawin) is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Mary, as well as Master’s Degrees in Management and in Business Administration. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication & Public Discourse from the University of North Dakota.In 2013, Kary was awarded a Bush Foundation fellowship under which she developed and conducted a survey of off-reservation American Indians in the Bismarck-Mandan area. This work helped her establish the Sacred Pipe Resource Center (SPRC), a non-profit organization serving the American Indian population in Bismarck-Mandan.

Cheryl currently serves as the Executive Director of the SPRC. She has worked in and with Tribal communities and populations for the majority of her career and, in addition to professional responsibilities, Kary advocates for Native people and Tribes in a variety of volunteer efforts. Kary was named an OTA Builder in 2014, recognized for seeking creative ways to build civic and community engagement for American Indians in the Bismarck-Mandan area. In 2016, she was recognized as a Leading Lady by the Center for Technology in Business and she received the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition’s Arc of Justice Award for her work in civil and human rights. While she is an introvert by nature, Kary enjoys peopling in moderation. She the mother of four children - Dalayne, Trevan, Tayson, and Tallon – and, in her spare time, she enjoys going to movies and reading.

Ashley is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and grew up in Linton. She is a social worker with a passion for serving people and advocating for social justice. Her previous work experience includes providing case management for individuals struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders, and case management for individuals dealing with housing issues and homelessness. Ashley recently retired from the Army National Guard with 22 years of service. She has one daughter, Remi, and they enjoy going for walks, doing 5K races, bike rides, and going to the pool in the summer. Ashley enjoys playing softball in the summer and volleyball in the winter and mostly spending time with family.

Patricia is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and grew up in Cannon Ball, ND. She previously worked for the Standing Rock Indian Health Service (IHS) for 11 years in various positions. She currently lives in Fort Yates, ND, with her two cats, Winston and Finn, but she wants you to know she’s not a cat lady. In her spare time (when she has it occasionally), she enjoys sewing and beading. Patricia has five kids and four grandchildren as well.

Brek is an enrolled member of the MHA Nation and grew up on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation (South Dakota). He is the son of Kenneth Maxon (deceased) and Juanita Maxon (Schanandore). Brek is a small business and economic development consultant dedicated to serving Native entrepreneurs in Indian Country. After graduating from the University of Mary with his bachelor’s in business administration, he
went back home and worked for the Bear Soldier District, getting real world small business experience for a couple of years. Thereafter, Brek spent most of his professional career at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND first as a business consultant and then Project Director for the ND/SD Native American Business Development Center. Since then, he has continued to work in the field as a consultant.
Brek and his beautiful wife of 33 years, Kimberlee, enjoy movies, journaling and video games together. They have five adult children.

Annie High Elk is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She grew up in Bismarck, graduated high school, and at the age of 22, spread her wings and flew to Seahawk
territory (Seattle, WA).
She became a stay-at-home mom and along with good adventures, she kept busy in her volunteer position as the president of “Mom’s Club”, a small community where mother’s offered mothers’ support and engaged in activities that included the children.
Annie did return to work when her children were older and worked with developmentally delayed individuals on the spectrum, including those with Aspergers, Autism, Prader-Willi Syndrome.
She also worked as a job coach or program manager at different homes for individuals for 15+ years. Additionally, she worked inside the cage at a large casino in Washington and was part of the school system assisting youth supported by Mckinney-Vento law. After 30 years in Seattle and raising her children-Madi Sioux and “Ike” Isaac- the Covid Pandemic impacted her decision to move back to Bismarck.
Annie currently serves as the Director of Arts and Cultural Engagement. She also assists at Bismarck Public Schools in leading Indigenous circle groups, as well as helping with various events such as feather-tying ceremony. Annie is co-guardian “(Auntie- Grandma”) to a 7-year-old boy and, in her free time, enjoys climbing Bear Butte (yes, to the top!), gardening, painting, fishing, and camping. Annie acknowledges that she is the shortest team member at SPRC! 

Presley is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe in Fort. Washakie, Wyoming. She grew up on the reservation and moved to Bismarck in 2012. She is a Bismarck Demon Alumni, graduating from BHS in 2020. She holds an associate’s degree in general studies and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from United Tribes Technical College. She enjoys spending time with her cats Opal and Onyx and keeping herself busy. In her previous work, she has worked with children with disabilities and interned for SPRC in business related work. As a young Indigenous woman, she is passionate about working with Native youth because she knows what it’s like to grow up wanting to feel seen, heard, and supported. She cares about creating safe, fun, and empowering spaces where young people can be themselves, embrace their culture, and dream big. She believes our youth are our future leaders, and she is here to cheer them on every step of the way.